Jonnie Marbles

By William Lee AdamsFriday, July 29, 2011

Comedian and activist

Born Jonathan May-Bowles, the political activist and stand-up comedian goes by 'Jonnie Marbles' whenever he causes a ruckus. Last year he helped found the left-wing protest group U.K. Uncut, which campaigns against the government's public spending cuts. He came to national attention on July 19 after he gained access to the parliamentary phone-hacking inquiry and attempted to throw a plate of white foam at Rupert Murdoch's face. "I'm actually in this committee," he tweeted at 3:01pm, about half an hour into the hearing. At 4:51, moments before the attack, he portrayed his imminent act as heroic. "It is a far better thing that I do now than I have ever done before #splat." Police charged him with "behavior causing harassment, alarm or distress in a public place." He'll appear in the City of Westminster Magistrates Court on July 29.